How to Protect Yourself from Brute Force Attacks

A brute force attack is an increasingly common method hackers use to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data by guessing passwords. According to Verizon’s 2020 Data Breach Investigations Report, over 80% of data breaches occur due to “brute force” attacks or the use of lost or stolen credentials. These attacks have become even more prevalent with the rise of remote work, which has introduced new cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Before exploring how to prevent brute force attacks, let’s examine some common characteristics of this threat.

Brute Force Attacks: Definition and Prevention Tips

A brute force attack is a trial-and-error hacking method to guess login credentials. Hackers or automated bots systematically try every possible combination of passwords until they find the correct one. The term “brute force” reflects the relentless approach of repeatedly attempting to break into an account or system through persistence, ultimately gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Brute Force Attack: How It Works and Ways to Defend

Brute force attacks come in various forms, each using unique methods to achieve unauthorized access. Understanding these different types is crucial to identifying the best ways to prevent them:
  • Simple Brute Force Attack
This occurs when a hacker manually attempts to guess passwords, often starting with standard and easily guessable options like “password” or “123456.” Hackers may also gather personal information, such as birthdays or children’s names, from the target’s online presence to aid their attempts.
  • Dictionary Attack
In this method, hackers use a preselected list of potential passwords tailored to the target. They systematically try each password on the list to gain access to an account.
  • Hybrid Brute Force Attack.
As the name implies, this method merges aspects of both basic brute force attacks and dictionary attacks. Hackers start with a word list and add numbers or characters to create variations. For instance, they may append years, dates, or other personal information to the end of a password.
  • Reverse Brute Force Attack
In this scenario, hackers obtain a known password, often through a data breach, and then search for usernames or accounts that match that password.
  • Password Spraying
Instead of targeting a single account with numerous password guesses, hackers use a common password across multiple accounts to find one that works. This method avoids locking out accounts due to repeated failed login attempts.
  • Credential Stuffing
This occurs when hackers use stolen login credentials from one organization to attempt access to accounts at other organizations. Credential stuffing thrives because people typically reuse the same password across multiple accounts. Understanding these types of brute-force attacks helps in implementing effective prevention strategies.  

Effective Ways to Prevent Brute Force Attacks

The good news is that preventing brute-force attacks is entirely possible. The first step is optimizing password security. For instance, any weak or commonly used passwords such as “123456,” “password,” or “111111” should be changed immediately. Avoid using dictionary words as passwords, as they are easy targets for hackers. Instead, use a combination of numbers, letters, and special characters, as these are harder to guess, especially if they do not include easily accessible personal information.

Additionally, every password should be unique for each account. This prevents unintentionally handing over the “keys to the kingdom” and granting a malicious actor access to all your professional and personal accounts simultaneously.

At an organizational level, implementing security features that lock accounts after several failed login attempts can help protect business data. Multifactor authentication (MFA) is another highly effective measure for combating brute force attacks and credential stuffing. It adds an extra layer of security by requiring a secondary verification method, significantly reducing the chances of unauthorized access.

How to Be Proactive and Stay Ahead

The best way to protect yourself from cyber threats is to remain vigilant and adhere to cybersecurity best practices. This includes setting your passwords to auto-expire and ensuring they never contain personal information. Site Lock can assist in safeguarding your data against brute force attacks and numerous other security risks. 

Contact us today to learn how we can support and meet your needs.

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